Nottingham software company makes first acquisition of 2023
Global software company Ideagen has expanded its solutions for food quality and safety with its first acquisition of 2023, welcoming supply chain mapping company Qadex into the Ideagen family.
The solution – which brings together every aspect of food safety, from quality management to supply chain tracking and approval – will become Ideagen Qadex.
Speaking about the acquisition CEO, Ben Dorks, said: “Ideagen support the safe hands and quiet voices that protect the world – and if there’s one thing the whole world needs to have confidence in, it’s the safety of our food supply chain.
“We want to trust that the food we put on the table, to feed our families is safe to eat and has been handled with care at every step of its production – how its raw ingredients are farmed, how it’s stored, how it’s transported, how it’s processed. Qadex play an important role in that reassurance.
“We are incredibly pleased and proud to be bringing them into the Ideagen family, their software supports over 16,000 food producers to evidence the integrity of their entire supply chain – from field to fork.”
Ideagen has a strong pedigree in quality management software and auditable collaboration with a number of well-known consumer goods brands, such as Diageo and Greggs, already using their solutions to support their quality and safety.
Ideagen Qadex will perfectly complement the existing portfolio and widen Ideagen’s footprint in the fast-moving consumer goods market, bringing together food safety, quality management, compliance, supplier approval and enhanced supply chain mapping, providing visibility for retailers, restaurants and food producers on the source of each ingredient.
Qadex founder, Stephen Whyte, said: “Joining Ideagen creates great opportunities for our amazing people and customers. Deploying Qadex software across the Ideagen global footprint has the potential to transform the safety of our food supply chain.”
Headquartered in Leicestershire, just 12 miles from Ideagen’s Nottingham HQ, Qadex boast a large number of global household names among its existing customer base.
Ben added: “Qadex is another example of a great technology businesses with roots in the Midlands. I have already had the opportunity to meet the Qadex team in person and welcome them into the Ideagen family.”
Work starts on brand new Bulwell Bus Station
Work has begun on an ambitious project to replace the existing Bulwell Bus Station with a brand new and improved version.
Thanks to Transforming Cities funding that Nottingham City Council bid for and secured from central Government, the new bus station at Bulwell will make travelling by public transport easier.
The scheme will have several benefits:
- Safer, energy efficient passenger waiting facilities
- Improved accessibility for wheelchairs
- Multiple seating options for people with different mobility needs
- Improved efficiency for bus operators
- A more welcoming feel and overall environment
- The bus station will also become more environmentally friendly and sustainable through solar powered bus shelter lighting, and new greenery introduced in planters along the footpaths to increase biodiversity.
Broad Marsh and wider city regeneration to continue despite Government funding failure
The leader of Nottingham City Council has vowed that the regeneration of Nottingham will continue despite the big disappointment of the Government failing to back the city’s bids for Levelling Up funding for Broad Marsh, Bulwell and the Island Quarter.
Nottingham had submitted three bids to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, but heard today that none had been successful despite strong cases being made for national funding.
- The £20m Broad Marsh bid was focussed on a key element of the vision, to prepare the Frame of the derelict shopping centre to be retained and reimagined as a unique space for play, performance and food, providing a catalyst for private sector partners to invest in the wider project.
- The £20m Bulwell town centre bid was to create a new Bulwell Promenade through substantial enhancements of green space and public realm alongside the River Leen. It also included improvements to the market place and urban greening; the restoration of heritage buildings and easier access and better connectivity between Bulwell Bogs, the tram stop, bus station, the market place and high streets.
- The £17m Island Quarter bid, submitted on behalf of developers Conygar, focused on renovating three heritage warehouse buildings at the heart of the 36-acre site near to Nottingham Station. It would have brought the buildings back into productive use providing a community open theatre, creative and digital studio space as well as improving access for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicle users with an upgraded junction connecting the site to the Sneinton community.
Topps Tiles chairman survives major shareholder’s bid for removal
The chairman of Topps Tiles, the Leiceser-based tile specialist, has survived a major shareholder’s bid to oust him at the company’s AGM.
In December MS Galleon GmbH (MSG) pushed for the firm to remove Darren Shapland, a director of the company, from office, as well as eject him from the position of non-executive chairman.
It was proposed that Shapland be replaced, while Lidia Wolfinger and Michael Bartusiak (both employees of companies owned by MSG) be appointed as non-executive directors of the company. The installation of Wolfinger and Bartusiak failed at the AGM.
Darren Shapland said: “The Board would like to thank shareholders for the support received at today’s meeting. We were pleased that shareholders supported the Board’s recommendations, with an average of 99.3 per cent of shareholders who voted, other than MSG, opposing the Requisitioned Resolutions.
“While we have always sought to maintain constructive engagement with MSG, the Board has also been clear that its responsibility is to act in the best interests of Topps shareholders as a whole. We believe strongly that MSG’s proposals exposed Topps shareholders to a number of serious conflicts of interest between MSG’s role as a significant shareholder, supplier and potential competitor to Topps.
“We welcome the strong support for the Board’s position received today from other shareholders and the Board will continue to engage with, and seek constructive dialogue with, all shareholders.“
Keith Down, senior independent director of Topps, said: “The Board has been unanimous in its rejection of the Requisitioned Resolutions. We are pleased to have secured strong backing from other investors at today’s meeting and, in particular, we note the significant vote of support received for the chairman. We thank shareholders for their engagement and support around the AGM and over the year.“
Derelict former swimming pool in Oadby to be sold in regeneration opportunity
A derelict former swimming pool in Oadby is to be sold, regenerating a prominent key site and bringing in funds ringfenced to improve community facilities in the town.
Oadby & Wigston Borough Council is planning a major refurbishment of the bowls pavilion next to the site which would make it the primary multi-use community facility in the town, as well as potentially using funds raised from the pool sale to improve Ellis Park as well.
Oadby pool became redundant in 2014 when the brand new replacement at Parklands Leisure Centre opened in Washbrook Lane.
The borough’s Local Plan already allocates most of the land, which includes the former pool and car parking at the front, as a prime opportunity for residential development, and this is the area that is now on the market for sale along with the tennis courts to the rear. All types of development offers though are being welcomed with any future use subject to gaining the relevant consents.
The adjacent land on which Ellis Park, the bowling green and the pavilion stand are not included in the sale, with these areas set for potential improvement using the money raised from the sale of the neighbouring land.
After a sale is agreed, the borough council will consult with local residents and groups to establish how a revamped community facility on the site of the current pavilion might look and what it could be used for. Regardless of how any revamped community facility shapes up, it will also remain available for use by the bowls club currently based there as well as other community groups. Improvements to Ellis Park itself will also form part of future consultation.
In the long term the council also expects to dispose of the Walter Charles Centre, the aging community building currently to the south of the town centre, which will be replaced by the larger, modern pavilion revamped as part of this project. This would only happen once the new community facility is nearing completion.
Councillor John Boyce, leader of Oadby & Wigston Borough Council, said: “Regeneration is key to maintaining a thriving local community and economy, and this land sale presents a huge opportunity for Oadby.
“It’s time for a developer to unlock the site’s potential. The money raised is ringfenced for community benefit – all of the proceeds will go towards creating a far superior community facility for the town as well as possible improvements to Ellis Park.
“We’re looking forward to talking to local residents, community groups and other key stakeholders to ensure the way the money is spent maximises the community offer in the town. Local voices are absolutely key to this project and people in Oadby can expect to hear much more about this in the coming months.”
Council awarded £2.58m to enhance North East Derbyshire
North East Derbyshire District Council has been awarded £2.5 million UK Shared Prosperity funding to spend on initiatives to improve the District’s parks, play areas, shop fronts, tourism offer and business support amongst other improvements over the coming years.
The funding will be used to level up across North East Derbyshire (along with the wider UK initiative), addressing geographical inequalities, and build pride in place across the whole district.
The Council will deliver initiatives across the District that meet the UKSPF programme investment priorities of Communities and Place, Local Business and People and Skills.
Over the next two years, the Council will invest in projects to make improvements to the public realm, shop fronts, parks, play areas, routeways, village halls and community hubs.
It will also promote the local tourism offer, provide support for businesses, social and financial inclusion activities, green skills training for local workers, and youth activities to address antisocial behaviour. Initiatives will include grant schemes, commissioned activities and focused financial support.
North East Derbyshire District Council cabinet member for leisure and communications, Cllr Alan Powell, said: “We are delighted to have received this money which we will use to make a visible difference to our district.
“We have already launched the first round of our Quality Parks and Play Areas grant scheme and we are now pleased to launch the second round as well as the Village Halls and Community Venues and Inclusive Communities schemes.”
North East Derbyshire District Council cabinet member for economy, transformation and climate, Cllr Jeremy Kenyon, said: “Other initiatives, including the Shop Front Enhancement grant scheme, will be announced over the coming months that will have a positive impact on our local communities and will include enhancements to shops and facilities and support to businesses and residents through access to advice and training.
“These activities support our vision of a district that is clean and attractive, where people are proud to live and work, where they will prosper and feel safe, happy and healthy and we look forward to reaping the benefits of our investment.”
Chatsworth House Trust appoints new director
Jane Marriott has been appointed to the new role of director of Chatsworth House Trust.
Jane has recently started in her new position following a successful six-year tenure as director of Harewood House Trust, during which time she oversaw a significant increase in charitable income and visitor engagement with this historic country house in West Yorkshire, driven by new and innovative programming such as the Harewood Biennial and an ongoing commitment to inclusion and diversity, working closely with contemporary artists and makers.
Jane joins Chatsworth at an important time. Her remit as the new director includes leading the development and delivery of a compelling creative programme to reach and engage new audiences in the UK and globally. She is also tasked with increasing the social impact of the Trust’s activities, overseeing the Devonshire Collections of art, artefacts and archives across its various sites, and building the Trust’s endowment to ensure an ever more secure future for the heritage assets under its stewardship.
Jane’s 25-year career has been spent predominantly in leadership roles in museums and galleries at times of major transformation. She started out as assistant curator at Art Gallery New South Wales, Sydney, before joining the team that launched Tate Modern in London in 2000 and then becoming the youngest female director of Royal Academy Trust and director of development at the Royal Academy of Arts.
Whilst at the RA she raised £36 million for the David Chipperfield-designed capital project and established an international fundraising operation in Hong Kong. Jane then moved to Yorkshire, firstly as deputy director and then Managing Director of The Hepworth Wakefield where she instigated the creation of the new Hepworth Gallery Garden designed by Tom Stuart Smith and launched the Hepworth Prize for Sculpture, which amongst other initiatives helped The Hepworth Wakefield win the Art Fund ‘Museum of the Year’ in 2017.
Jane Marriott, director of Chatsworth House Trust, said: “Chatsworth has a great reputation, with an outstanding collection of art, established learning programme and strong exhibitions that together represent a visitor offering to rival any national institution in the UK. Chatsworth also has an incredible reach with more than 600,000 annual visitors, meaning there is huge potential to engage with, and have a positive impact on, a wide and diverse audience.
“Through a shared commitment to learning and programme at the heart of the organisation, designed to maximise the incredible collections of art, decorative arts and gardens, we have the potential to reimagine Chatsworth’s role within the UK’s cultural economy.
“I look forward to working with the family and the team at Chatsworth to widen our reach and demonstrate value to our communities as a charitable trust, whilst protecting this vital piece of our national heritage for generations to come.”
Lord Burlington, chairman of the Chatsworth House Trust, said: “I am delighted to welcome Jane to Chatsworth as director of the Chatsworth House Trust. The Trust was set up by my grandfather in 1981 to look after the house, collections, garden, woodlands and park for the long-term benefit of everyone.
“Jane’s experience and achievements in the arts, culture and heritage arenas make her the perfect person to lead an ambitious new chapter of growth and development for the charity. There is a great deal of excitement around this appointment, we look forward to working closely with Jane and we wish her every success.”
Wilko distribution centre sold to private equity giant
A Wilko distribution centre has been sold to a private equity giant.
Canadian asset manager Brookfield has agreed to buy the lease on Wilko’s 1.1 million square foot distribution centre in Worksop, Nottinghamshire for £88 million.
Wilko originally sold the distribution centre to DHL for £48 million only months ago.
It comes after news broke earlier this week that the retailer is set to close its toy departments, focusing instead on selling garden and household goods, and follows the revelation that 95 Wilko staff in Worksop were at risk of being made redundant as the retailer looked to outsource its customer services.
The business agreed a £40m two-year revolving credit facility with Hilco at the start of the year, to allow it to increase financial flexibility as it accelerates plans for turnaround.
Wilko’s year-end results showed a drop in sales, while the firm slipped to a pre-tax loss, as the pandemic continued to bite.
Nadine Houghton, GMB national officer, said: “The sale of Wilko distribution centre to Canadian investment and private equity giant Brookfield and the recent Hilco revolving credit facility raises further concerns about the ever-growing influence of private equity investors in the UK high street.
“Highly debt leveraged models are being used to buy up the UK high street with little or no over sight from regulators.
“The GMB union, which represents workers on the high street and in logistics, is calling for the role of the CMA to be expanded – giving greater regulatory oversight in relation to private equity buyouts and ensuring greater protection of both consumers and workers.”
Logistics services provider moves into new Castle Donington premises
A fast growing provider of logistics services and value-added technology has moved into new premises in Castle Donington.CCL Logistics has moved into 2 Boundary Court on the Willow Farm Business Park, with NG acting for landlord Inzent on the deal.CCL helps manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers simplify their supply chain, improve productivity and significantly reduce their overall cost of doing business.The firm has moved into the 1,800 sq ft ground floor suite at Boundary Court.
Alicia Lewis of NG brokered the deal and said: “It’s always satisfying to help an ambitious company realise their expansion plans – and this is what we’ve done on this deal.“Boundary Court is a prime location in the centre of the East Midlands and provides CCL access to a wide range of new clients. This was a great deal for both our landlord client and the new tenant. We wish them all the best in the future.”Willow Farm Business Park is a 50-acre purpose-built business park at Castle Donington.
Harborough District Council offers leisure industry contractors chance to tender for new contract
Harborough District Council is offering a chance for leisure industry contractors to tender for a new contract after its Physical Activity Strategy identified the need to refurbish both Lutterworth Sports Centre and Market Harborough Leisure Centre.
The Council’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy aims to promote health and wellbeing and encourage healthy life choices by increasing access and opportunities for residents to take part in physical activity. To deliver this a new 15-year management contract is being tendered set to be in place by 1 April 2024.
The Council has agreed a Capital funding pot of £9.75m million to cover Harborough Leisure Centre and Lutterworth Sports Centre which can be accessed by the successful tenderer to support the redevelopment. The final capital funding amount is to be repaid by the incumbent operator.
An FTS notice with details of the procurement, and access to procurement documentation was published on 16 January 2023.
Another key date for interested parties is 1 February 2023 when a Bidders Day will be held for potential operators.
Following Standard Selection Questions evaluations (SSQ), operators will be invited to submit initial bids in April 2023.
The Initial Tenders will show the cost of continuing the current leisure provision and the cost of the provision with bidders utilising the investment fund. At this time, a decision will be made on which is the best option to proceed and the requirements for the Final Tender can be set.
Through August 2023 bidders will produce their Final Tenders, for submission 15 September 2023, reflecting the Council’s preferred option. Then in October 2023 Council approval will be sought for the preferred partner with a new contract commencing on 1 April 2024.
Cllr Simon Whelband, Harborough District Council’s portfolio holder for health and wellbeing, said: “As part of our Physical Activity Strategy, we identified a mutual aspiration to refurbish the two leisure centres to meet the high national standards. We’re aiming to contribute towards a reduction in carbon emissions, whilst increasing physical activity opportunities and participation to support the physical and mental health and wellbeing of residents across the Harborough district.”
